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There
are a number of different aspects to running a business, and it is
always a good idea to anticipate rather than be caught short at a later
stage. It is all very well to say my accountant/bookkeeper or lawyer
can handle that side of things, but in reality a business owner should
be able to read and understand the documents and financial info prepared
by the professionals, or in smaller businesses, be able to draw up those
documents themselves (with the bare minimum of help).
People under-estimate their weaknesses and this is where they come short
when faced with unfamiliar territory in their own business. A
“people-person” may find themselves out of their comfort zone having to
present restraint of trades to their staff members. Yes, you want a
happy working environment, because that is how best you (the
people-person) thrive, but when you look at the long term threat of
loosing a valued staff member along with a large percentage of your
clientele when that same staff member opens in competition down the
road, you realize that having your ducks in a row up front is crucial to
your survival. Another example is a financial personality type – happy
to watch the bottom line, and careful with expenses, but possibly
loosing out by not taking those advertising opportunities because the
cost seemed high at the time.
I
believe it is a good idea as a potential business owner to draw up a
list of your strengths and weaknesses. Be hard on yourself and make
that list realistic. Once this is done, you are in a position to assess
where you need assistance and guidance. Don’t be afraid to get that
assistance or training to stop up any gaps in your abilities. Training
is never wasted!
To
this end we have acquired an excellent Business Ownership training
course, in conjunction with KZN Training Centre. We are running these
“How to Run Your Own Business” courses on a countrywide basis. The
course is short, to the point and highly relevant. It covers a variety
of issues business owners are faced with on a daily basis: drawing up a
business plan, acquiring finance, sales and marketing, tax and vat,
legal issues, cashflows, financials statement and bookkeeping as well as
HR and staff issues.
For
further information on a course being run in your area, contact:
Michele Wright
031
209 3121
broker20@aldes.co.za
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